SCI FI Renews Stargate Atlantis

SCI FI Channel has renewed its hit original series “Stargate Atlantis” for an all-new 20-episode fifth season. One of television’s most action-packed adventure hours, “Atlantis'” success continues the legacy of one of television’s most successful franchises. The show’s sister series, “Stargate SG-1,” ran for a record-breaking 10 consecutive seasons unprecedented for any sci-fi series. Produced and distributed by MGM Television, “Stargate Atlantis” is set to resume production in early 2008.

“SCI FI is proud to bring ‘Atlantis’ back for another season,” said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming for SCI FI. “‘Atlantis’ truly came out from under the shadow of its sister series this year and proved that it’s a hit in its own right. With this season’s exciting new characters and vibrant storylines, ‘Atlantis’ also shows every sign of matching its sibling’s longevity.”

“All of us at MGM are pleased to be extending the Stargate legacy with 20 new original episodes of ‘Stargate Atlantis’ for our friends at SCI FI,” said Charles E. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President Finance and Corporate Development, MGM. “Viewers the world over clamor for exciting new stories of space exploration, distant civilizations and the marvels of technology, all of which continue to be delivered by ‘Stargate Atlantis.'”

“Stargate Atlantis” follows the adventures of an intrepid team of military and civilian explorers who travel the distant Pegasus galaxy by means of a Stargate, a portal created long ago by a highly advanced alien civilization called the Ancients. In their never-ending quest to seek out other technologies left behind by the Ancients, the Atlantis team encounters alien cultures some friend, some foe.